Point amounts

[stevelee]

Just curious how many points people own. I am looking at 2 options on contracts. I am sure down the road I will want more. Just thought I would see what the average amount of points is that people here have!

Steve

 

[JustTinking]

Would recommend you decide where you want to stay most, what time of year, for how long, and what size unit, then go to the point charts and figure out how many points you will need, based on whether you want to vacation every year, every other, etc.

We bought in at VWL and purchased 300 points. Many of my friends purchased 150 points, which was the minimum amount at the time. We currently have 850 points, 12 years later.

 

[Disneyepcot]

Good question.

We have 160 BLT since 2011.

We hope 80 BWV additional points makes it through ROFR for grand

TOTAL-240

PASSED ROFR! Now officially own 240 pts.

 

[darbry]

We have 160 at BLT and are ready to go to closing with another 160 at AKL. This makes it easier for us to get a 2 bedroom now that the family is growing.

 

[peabody58]

160 at BLT for DW and me. With the option to buy 24 one-time use points a year, this amount has been working out well for us. We like the ability to vacation at WDW/HHI/VB, but don't want to be locked into that being our only vacation option as we roll into retirement.

 

[Belle & Ariel]

We bought 150 Boardwalk points 5 years ago and they were enough--we have rented them 2 times through David's because we cruise alot and could not use them.
Now with 2 married kids and grandkids we bought 160 points at AKL so we can bring everyone every few years and just us other times.
I suggest start with maybe 150ish and if you need more in a few years add on at a different resort. I would NOT buy one big contract but split into 2 smaller ones in case you need to downsize later.

 

[DVC Sue]

We originally bought 200 at AKV but we since added on at BWV, VWL, and GFV. We find that we NEED the 11 month advantage for the times of year we want to travel and the types of room we want.

 

[com_op_2000]

Original purchase - 200 points in '93
Add on - 25 in '97
Add on - 121 in '11
Total - 346
Wanting to get to a point where I have enough points to go once a month for 2 - 5 nights.

 

[stevelee]

I like the idea of buying say 169 now and adding in later if needed. You might pay a bit more in the long run but you don't overbuy and you have 2 smaller contracts.

 

[JessLCH]

We closed on our first contract, 600 point BLT contract (actually three 200 point contracts from same seller so was considered one purchase transaction) in August. We are also in our first week of ROFR for another 320 points at BLT. We often travel during high point seasons with extended family and often require 2 two bedrooms for these trips. In the future if we find we have too many points, we can rent some out or sell off one (or more) contracts.

 

[davidl81]

We started with 160 at AKV about 5 years ago. The plan was to make 1 studio trip a year and maybe a second trip every other year. Two years later we added on 80 points since we found ourselves borrowing points too often for trips. We just had our first child last year and have really started to enjoy the 2 bed room trips with family. We just bought another 175 last week to bring us to a grand total of 395 a year. I guess the best answer to your question would be to start with the amount of trips you want to take per year and the room type. Buy enough for that and if you enjoy them you can always add on in the future. Just remember the true long term cost of DVC is the MF. On 375 points I will pay about 1700 a year in fees, an amount that will only go up with time.

 

[Halefamilyof6]

We started with 210 points at GCV in 2011 and we added on 150 points several months ago GCV.

In another year or so, we plan to buy either Aulani or GFV. With a big family, we always need a 2 bedroom and hubby wants to get to where we have enough points for the 3 bedroom. So, that's the long term goal...

 

[Dean]

Just curious how many points people own. I am looking at 2 options on contracts. I am sure down the road I will want more. Just thought I would see what the average amount of points is that people here have!

Steve

Whether one should buy a cushion up front depends on a number of issues including finances, current need and planned usage. For those buying enough looking at a few days in a studio off season I think all should buy a small cushion if possible, for those looking at a 2 BR magic or above, a cushion is likely not necessary. In general it's better to underbuy than overbuy both in number of points and home resort assuming it's not a micro contract to start with of say 100 or under. Also if buying at a lower points cost resort, it's a good idea to look around at the points costs for other resorts and consider that as part of the purchase decision.

 

[crisi]

150 and for us its too many now.

We only go every other year, that is all we wanted to go when we bought. Now, we are happy with about a five night stay and really don't want to go even every other year.

 

[DizBub]

I think you can see a general trend here. Most people add on, multiple times.

We bought 210 points and after the 1st trip realized we needed more. 2 add-ons later we have 470 and still could use more.

 

[boiseflyfisher]

We have 320 VGC points split into two 160 point contracts.

 

[crisi]

I think you can see a general trend here. Most people add on, multiple times.

We bought 210 points and after the 1st trip realized we needed more. 2 add-ons later we have 470 and still could use more.

Though if you are here long enough, you see the other side of the trend, people who then downsize over time. There are a lot of posters here who now own a lot fewer points than they did at their peak. And there are a lot of people who bought in big, have now sold, and don't participate in this board (or at least this forum) any longer.

 

[christianweecare]

We bought 200 points at SSR in 2005. We go to Vero for 6 nights each year and bank our points to take our kids & grandkids to WDW every other year. This has worked out well for us because we cruise DCL every other year, as well. My husband works for the military so we supplement quick trips for the two of us at Shades of Green.

 

[DizBub]

Though if you are here long enough, you see the other side of the trend, people who then downsize over time. There are a lot of posters here who now own a lot fewer points than they did at their peak. And there are a lot of people who bought in big, have now sold, and don't participate in this board (or at least this forum) any longer.

Got it. I meant the trend of the answers in the thread.

Being relative DVC newbies, only 4 years in, we are retired, can go anytime and have decided we want to go more, stay longer and like to share with family. Our contracts are small enough that if things change we can be flexible. Apparently we aren't alone.

 

[stevelee]

I decided towards a 200 point contract, that way we can go once a year and every now and then get a one bedroom if we choose. I was looking at 160 point contract but feel that this may not be enough to do that as easily. I found what I think seemd like a good deal and have an offer accepted on it.